OPTICAL SENSING CIRCUIT AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING LIGHT COLOR BY USING THE SAME
An optical sensing circuit includes a capacitor, and a light sensing unit, a compensation unit, and a switching element coupled to the capacitor. The light sensing unit includes a first light sensing transistor for sensing a first color. The compensation unit includes a second light sensing transistor for sensing a second color. The spectra of the second color and the first color do not overlap each other. When the light illuminates, the light sensing unit generates a first current and the compensation unit generates a second current. The second current reduces the magnitude of the charging or discharging current when the capacitor is charged or discharged by the first current. When the switching element turned on, the voltage of the capacitor is read to determine the color of the light. The voltage level of the gate of the first or second light sensing transistor is adjustable.
This application claims the benefit of Taiwan application Serial No. 108127281, filed Jul. 31, 2019, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the InventionThe invention relates in general to an optical sensing circuit and a method for determining light color using the same.
Description of the Related ArtConventional optical sensing circuit has a thin film transistor (TFT) element (light sensing transistor) and a capacitor coupled to each other. When the light source of a specific color illuminates the optical sensing circuit, the turned-off thin film transistor element will generate a light leakage current. The light leakage current will cause the capacitor to be discharged to generate a voltage change during the illumination process. The input of optical signal could be detected through the voltage change of the capacitor.
However, under strong ambient light such as ambient white light, the optical sensing circuit may generate error actions. Moreover, the thin film transistor (TFT) element, having been illuminated over a long time, will have a shift in threshold voltage (Vth). Therefore, it has become a prominent task for the industries to resolve the above problems of error actions which occur due to the existence of ambient white light.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccording to one embodiment of the present invention, an optical sensing circuit is provided. The optical sensing circuit includes a capacitor, a light sensing unit, a compensation unit, and a switching element. The light sensing unit, electrically connected to the capacitor, includes a first light sensing transistor and is configured to sense a first color. The compensation unit, electrically connected to the capacitor, includes a second light sensing transistor and is configured to sense a second color. The spectrum of the second color and the spectrum of the first color do not overlap with each other. The switching element is electrically connected to the capacitor. When a light illuminates the light sensing unit and the compensation unit, a first light component of the light corresponding to the first color causes the light sensing unit to generate a first current, and a second light component of the light corresponding to the second color causes the compensation unit to generate a second current, the second current reduces the magnitude of the charging current or the discharging current when the capacitor is charged or discharged by the first current. When the switching element is turned on, the voltage of the capacitor is read and used as information for determining the color of the light. The voltage level of at least one of the gate of the first light sensing transistor and the gate of the second light sensing transistor is adjustable.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, an optical sensing circuit is provided. The optical sensing circuit includes a capacitor, a light sensing unit, a compensation unit, and a switching element. The light sensing unit, electrically connected to the capacitor, includes a first light sensing transistor and is configured to sense a first color. The compensation unit, electrically connected to the capacitor, includes a second light sensing transistor and is configured to sense a second color. The spectrum of the second color and the spectrum of the first color do not overlap with each other. The switching element is electrically connected to the capacitor. When a light illuminates the light sensing unit and the compensation unit, a first light component of the light corresponding to the first color causes the light sensing unit to generate a first current, and a second light component of the light corresponding to the second color causes the compensation unit to generate a second current, the second current reduces the magnitude of the charging current or the discharging current when the capacitor is charged or discharged by the first current. When the switching element is turned on, the voltage of the capacitor is read and used as information for determining the color of the light. The first light sensing transistor and the second light sensing transistor are diode-connected thin film transistors.
According to an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a method for determining light color using an optical sensing circuit is provided. The method includes the following steps. An optical sensing circuit, including a capacitor, a light sensing unit, a compensation unit, and a switching element, is provided. The light sensing unit, electrically connected to the capacitor, includes a first light sensing transistor and is configured to sense a first color. The compensation unit, electrically connected to the capacitor, includes a second light sensing transistor and is configured to sense a second color. The spectrum of the second color and the spectrum of the first color do not overlap with each other. The switching element is electrically connected to the capacitor. One end of the first light sensing transistor receives an operating signal. The switching element is controlled by a control signal. During an initial period, the operating signal has a first voltage for initializing the voltage value of the capacitor. During a sensing period, the operating signal has a second voltage. When the light illuminates the light sensing unit and the compensation unit, the first light component of the light corresponding to the first color causes the light sensing unit to generate a first current, and the second light component of the light corresponding to the second color causes the compensation unit to generate a second current. The second current reduces the magnitude of the charging current or the discharging current when the capacitor is charged or discharged by the first current. During a sampling period, the scan signal is enabled, such that the switching element is turned on and the voltage of the capacitor is read and used as information for determining the color of the light. The voltage level of at least one of the gate of the first light sensing transistor and the gate of the second light sensing transistor is adjustable.
According to another alternate embodiment of the present invention, a method for determining light color using an optical sensing circuit is provided. The method includes the following steps. An optical sensing circuit, including a capacitor, a light sensing unit, a compensation unit, and a switching element, is provided. The light sensing unit, electrically connected to the capacitor, includes a first light sensing transistor and is configured to sense a first color. The compensation unit, electrically connected to the capacitor, includes a second light sensing transistor and is configured to sense a second color. The spectrum of the second color and the spectrum of the first color do not overlap with each other. The switching element is electrically connected to the capacitor. One end of the first light sensing transistor receives an operating signal. The switching element is controlled by a control signal. During an initial period, the operating signal has a first voltage for initializing the voltage value of the capacitor. During a sensing period, the operating signal has a second voltage. When the light illuminates the light sensing unit and the compensation unit, the first light component of the light corresponding to the first color causes the light sensing unit to generate a first current, and the second light component of the light corresponding to the second color causes the compensation unit to generate a second current. The second current reduces the magnitude of the charging current or the discharging current when the capacitor is charged or discharged by the first current. During a sampling period, the scan signal is enabled, such that the switching element is turned on and the voltage of the capacitor is read and used as information for determining the color of the light. The first light sensing transistor and the second light sensing transistor are diode-connected thin film transistors.
The above and other aspects of the invention will become better understood with regard to the following detailed description of the preferred but non-limiting embodiment (s). The following description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Referring to
When a light illuminates the light sensing unit 102 and the compensation unit 104, a first light component of the light corresponding to the first color causes the light sensing unit 102 to generate a first current, and a second light component of the light corresponding to the second color causes the compensation unit 104 to generate a second current. The second current reduces the magnitude of the charging current or the discharging current when the capacitor C1 is charged or discharged by the first current.
When the switching element Tsw is turned on, the voltage of the capacitor C1 is read and used as information for determining the color of the light.
The voltage level of at least one of the gate of the first light sensing transistor Tp1 and the gate of the second light sensing transistor Tp2 is adjustable. For example, the voltage level could be adjusted according to the intensity of an ambient light or the intensity of the light.
The compensation unit 104, under the illumination of a strong ambient light, such as an ambient white light, compensates the strong ambient light to reduce the influence of the strong ambient light on the voltage of the capacitor C1 and resolve the problem of error actions which occur due to the existence of the strong ambient light. Detailed descriptions are disclosed below.
The compensation unit 104 may further include a third light sensing transistor Tp3. The first light sensing transistor Tp1, the second light sensing transistor Tp2, and the third light sensing transistor Tp3 are respectively used to sense different colors. The first light sensing transistor Tp1, the second light sensing transistor Tp2, and the third light sensing transistor Tp3 could respectively be used to sense red, green, and blue colors, the first light sensing transistor Tp1, the second light sensing transistor Tp2, and the third light sensing transistor Tp3 could respectively be used to sense green, red, and blue colors, or the first light sensing transistor Tp1, the second light sensing transistor Tp2, and the third light sensing transistor Tp3 could respectively be used to sense blue, red, and green colors. Thus, the first color could be is, for example, the color sensed by the first light sensing transistor Tp1, and the second color could be, for example, the color sensed by the second light sensing transistor Tp2 or the third light sensing transistor Tp3, or the combination of the colors sensed by the second light sensing transistor Tp2 and the third light sensing transistor Tp3. In the following exemplification, the first light sensing transistor Tp1, the second light sensing transistor Tp2, and the third light sensing transistor Tp3 could respectively be used to sense red, green, and blue colors. Thus, the first color could be the color sensed by the first light sensing transistor Tp1, that is, red. The second color could be the color sensed by the second light sensing transistor Tp2 or the third light sensing transistor Tp3, that is, green or blue. Or, the second color could be the combination of the colors sensed by the second light sensing transistor Tp2 and the third light sensing transistor Tp3, that is, cyan being a combination of green and blue, for example.
The capacitor C1 has a first end N1 and a second end N2. The gate of the first light sensing transistor Tp1 is controlled by a first control signal G_Tp1. The second light sensing transistor Tp2 and the third light sensing transistor Tp3 are diode-connected thin film transistors. One end of the first light sensing transistor Tp1, one end of the second light sensing transistor Tp2, and one end of the third light sensing transistor Tp3 are electrically connected to the first end N1 of the capacitor C1. The other end and the gate of the second light sensing transistor Tp2 and the other end and the gate of the third light sensing transistor Tp3 are electrically connected to the second end N2 of the capacitor C1. The switching element Tsw is electrically connected to the first end N1 of the capacitor C1.
Refer to
During a sensing period P_sns, the operating signal Sn has a second voltage V2. When the light illuminates the light sensing unit 102 and the compensation unit 104, the first light component of the light corresponding to the first color causes the light sensing unit 102 to generate a first current, and the second light component of the light corresponding to the second color causes the compensation unit 104 to generate a second current. As indicated in
During the sensing period P_sns, when the light with the first color (that is, an input light source exists) illuminates the light sensing unit 102 and the compensation unit 104, the first light component of the light corresponding to the first color causes the light sensing unit 102 to generate a first current. Since the light (that is, the input light source) does not have the second light component corresponding to the second color, the compensation unit 104 will not generate a second current. As indicated in
Then, during a sampling period P_smp, the scan signal Gn is enabled, such that the switching element Tsw is turned on and the voltage of the capacitor C1 is read. For example, under the circumstance that the scan signal Gn is enabled, the switching element Tsw is turned on, and the voltage of the first end N1 of the capacitor C1 is read, the control circuit (not shown) therefore could determine whether the light illuminates the optical sensing circuit 100 according to the voltage read by the control circuit 100.
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In the present example, the voltage value of the low voltage of the first control signal G_Tp1 is adjustable. When the voltage value of the low voltage of the first control signal G_Tp1 is increased, during the sensing period P_sns between time points t1 and t2, the voltage VA by which the capacitor C1 is charged when the light illuminates the light sensing unit 1202 and the compensation unit 1204 will be increased correspondingly. As indicated in
By increasing the voltage value of the low voltage of the first control signal G_Tp1, the effect of compensating for the input light source with lower intensity can be achieved. By increasing the voltage value of the first control signal G_Tp1, the magnitude of the light leakage current of the first light sensing transistor Tp1 illuminated by the light could be adjusted, such that the magnitude of the current by which the capacitor C1 is charged during the sensing period P_sns could be increased. Thus, when the intensity of the input light source is too low, larger magnitude of the light leakage current of the first light sensing transistor Tp1 could be generated by increasing the voltage value of the first control signal G_Tp1, such that the magnitude of the current generated by the input light source with lower intensity for charging the capacitor C1 could be increased, and the input light source with lower intensity still could be detected by the optical sensing circuit 1200.
Referring to
In the present example, the voltage value of the low voltage of the second control signal G_Tp2 is adjustable. When the voltage value of the low voltage of the second control signal G_Tp2 is increased, during the sensing period P_sns between time points t1 and t2, the voltage VA by which the capacitor C1 is charged when the light illuminates the light sensing unit 1202 and the compensation unit 1204 will be decreased correspondingly. For example, as indicated in
By increasing the voltage value of the low voltage of the second control signal G_Tp2″, the effect of decreasing the influence of the ambient light or enhancing the input light source with lower intensity could be achieved. By adjusting the voltage value of the second control signal G_Tp2, the magnitude of the light leakage current of the second light sensing transistor Tp2 and the third light sensing transistor Tp3 illuminated by the light could be adjusted, such that the magnitude of the current by which the capacitor C1 is charged could be decreased during the sensing period P_sns. For example, under the circumstances that the input light source has a lower intensity and the ambient light source has a higher intensity, the original voltage value of the second control signal G_Tp2 (before adjustment) may cause the second light sensing transistor Tp2 and the third light sensing transistor Tp3 to generate a larger compensation current, and no current will flow to the capacitor C1 to charge the capacitor C1. At this time, by decreasing the voltage value of the low voltage of the second control signal G_Tp2, the magnitudes of compensation currents generated by the second light sensing transistor Tp2 and the third light sensing transistor Tp3 will be effectively decreased, and the input light source still could be detected by the optical sensing circuit even under the circumstances that the input light source has a lower intensity and the ambient light source has a higher intensity. Besides, under the circumstances that the input light source does not exist and that the ambient light source has a higher intensity, during the sensing period P_sns, the optical sensing circuit 1200 still may generate error actions when the compensation currents generated by the second light sensing transistor Tp2 and the third light sensing transistor Tp3 cannot completely compensate the light leakage current of the first light sensing transistor Tp1 generated by the strong ambient light and when the capacitor C1 is charged by the light leakage current generated by the first light sensing transistor Tp1. At this time, by increasing the voltage value of the low voltage of the second control signal G_Tp2, the compensation currents generated by the second light sensing transistor Tp2 and the third light sensing transistor Tp3 could be increased to compensate the light leakage current generated by the first light sensing transistor Tp1 and reduce the magnitude of the current flowing to the capacitor C1 and reduce the amount of charging for the capacitor C1. Thus, by boosting the voltage value of the low voltage of the second control signal G_Tp2, under the circumstances that the input light source does not exist and that the ambient light source has a higher intensity, a current flow to the capacitor C1 and charge the capacitor C1 can be avoided and the error action of error charging the capacitor C1 could be avoided.
Referring to
By using the bias resistor R, the voltages of the gate of the first light sensing transistor Tp1, the gate of the second light sensing transistor Tp2 and the gate of the third light sensing transistor Tp3 can be adjusted at the same time through a control signal (such as the first control signal G_Tp1) only.
Referring to
The compensation unit 1604 further includes a third light sensing transistor Tp3. The first light sensing transistor Tp1, the second light sensing transistor Tp2, and the third light sensing transistor Tp3 are respectively used to sense different colors. For example, the first light sensing transistor Tp1, the second light sensing transistor Tp2, and the third light sensing transistor Tp3 could respectively be used to sense red, green, and blue colors, the first light sensing transistor Tp1, the second light sensing transistor Tp2, and the third light sensing transistor Tp3 could respectively be used to sense green, red, and blue colors, or the first light sensing transistor Tp1, the second light sensing transistor Tp2, and the third light sensing transistor Tp3 could respectively be used to sense blue, red, and green colors.
The capacitor C1 has a first end N1 and a second end N2. The third light sensing transistor Tp3 is a diode-connected thin film transistor. One end and the gate of the first light sensing transistor Tp1, one end of the second light sensing transistor Tp2, and one end of the third light sensing transistor Tp3 are electrically connected to the first end N1 of the capacitor C1. The other end and the gate of the second light sensing transistor Tp2 and the other end and the gate of the third light sensing transistor Tp3 are electrically connected to the second end N2 of the capacitor C1. The switching element Tsw is electrically connected to the first end N1 of the capacitor C1.
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The capacitor C1 has a first end N1 and a second end N2. The third light sensing transistor Tp3 is a diode-connected thin film transistor. One end of the first light sensing transistor Tp1, one end and the gate of the second light sensing transistor Tp2, and one end and the gate of the third light sensing transistor Tp3 are electrically connected to the first end N1 of the capacitor C1. The other end and the gate of the first light sensing transistor Tp1 are coupled to each other. The other end of the second light sensing transistor Tp2 and the other end of the third light sensing transistor Tp3 are electrically connected to the second end N2 of the capacitor C1. The switching element Tsw is electrically connected to the first end N1 of the capacitor C1.
Refer to
During the sensing period P_sns, the operating signal Sn has a second voltage V2′. When the light illuminates the light sensing unit 1902 and the compensation unit 1904, the first light component of the light corresponding to the first color causes the light sensing unit 1902 to generate a first current (such as the current 12 of
During the sampling period P_smp, the scan signal Gn is enabled, such that the switching element Tsw is turned on and the voltage of the capacitor C1 is read. As shown in
According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for determining light color using an optical sensing circuit is provided. The method includes the following steps. An optical sensing circuit, including a capacitor, a light sensing unit, a compensation unit, and a switching element, is provided. The light sensing unit, electrically connected to the capacitor, includes a first light sensing transistor and is configured to sense a first color. The compensation unit, electrically connected to the capacitor, includes a second light sensing transistor and is configured to sense a second color. The spectrum of the second color and the spectrum of the first color do not overlap with each other. The switching element is electrically connected to the capacitor. One end of the first light sensing transistor receives an operating signal, and the switching element is controlled by a control signal. During an initial period, the operating signal has a first voltage for initializing the voltage value of the capacitor. During a sensing period, the operating signal has a second voltage. When the light illuminates the light sensing unit and the compensation unit, the first light component of the light corresponding to the first color causes the light sensing unit to generate a first current, and the second light component of the light corresponding to the second color causes the compensation unit to generate a second current. The second current reduces the magnitude of the charging current or the discharging current when the capacitor is charged or discharged by the first current. During a sampling period, the scan signal is enabled, such that the switching element is turned on and the voltage of the capacitor is read and used as information for determining the color of the light. The voltage level of at least one of the gate of the first light sensing transistor and the gate of the second light sensing transistor is adjustable.
The voltage level of at least one of the gate of the first light sensing transistor and the gate of the second light sensing transistor could be adjusted according to the intensity of an ambient light or the intensity of the light.
According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for determining light color using an optical sensing circuit is provided. The method includes the following steps. An optical sensing circuit, including a capacitor, a light sensing unit, a compensation unit, and a switching element, is provided. The light sensing unit, electrically connected to the capacitor, includes a first light sensing transistor and is configured to sense a first color.
The compensation unit, electrically connected to the capacitor, includes a second light sensing transistor and is configured to sense a second color. The spectrum of the second color and the spectrum of the first color do not overlap with each other. The switching element is electrically connected to the capacitor. One end of the first light sensing transistor receives an operating signal, and the switching element is controlled by a control signal. During an initial period, the operating signal has a first voltage for initializing the voltage value of the capacitor. During a sensing period, the operating signal has a second voltage. When the light illuminates the light sensing unit and the compensation unit, the first light component of the light corresponding to the first color causes the light sensing unit to generate a first current, and the second light component of the light corresponding to the second color causes the compensation unit to generate a second current. The second current reduces the magnitude of the charging current or the discharging current when the capacitor is charged or discharged by the first current. During a sampling period, the scan signal is enabled, such that the switching element is turned on and the voltage of the capacitor is read and used as information for determining the color of the light. The first light sensing transistor and the second light sensing transistor are diode-connected thin film transistors.
The optical sensing circuit and the method for determining the light color using the same of the present disclosure could, under the illumination of a strong ambient light, such as an ambient white light, compensate the current generated by the ambient light to avoid error actions. Moreover, in some embodiments, the gate voltage of the thin film transistor could be adjusted to compensate the input light source with lower intensity or the ambient light source with higher intensity and increase the accuracy in the determination of whether any input light source illuminates the optical sensing circuit.
While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of the preferred embodiment(s), it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements and procedures, and the scope of the appended claims therefore should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements and procedures.
Claims
1. An optical sensing circuit, comprising:
- a capacitor;
- a light sensing unit, electrically connected to the capacitor, wherein the light sensing unit comprises a first light sensing transistor and is configured to sense a first color;
- a compensation unit, electrically connected to the capacitor, wherein the compensation unit comprises a second light sensing transistor and is configured to sense a second color, the spectrum of the second color and the spectrum of the first color do not overlap with each other;
- a switching element, electrically connected to the capacitor;
- wherein when a light illuminates the light sensing unit and the compensation unit, a first light component of the light corresponding to the first color causes the light sensing unit to generate a first current, and a second light component of the light corresponding to the second color causes the compensation unit to generate a second current, the second current reduces the magnitude of the charging current or the discharging current when the capacitor is charged or discharged by the first current;
- wherein when the switching element is turned on, the voltage of the capacitor is read and used as information for determining the color of the light;
- wherein the voltage level of at least one of the gate of the first light sensing transistor and the gate of the second light sensing transistor is adjustable.
2. The optical sensing circuit according to claim 1, wherein the voltage level of the at least one of the gate of the first light sensing transistor and the gate of the second light sensing transistor is adjustable according to the intensity of an ambient light or the intensity of the light.
3. The optical sensing circuit according to claim 1, wherein the compensation unit further comprises a third light sensing transistor, the first light sensing transistor, the second light sensing transistor, and the third light sensing transistor are respectively used to sense different colors.
4. The optical sensing circuit according to claim 3, wherein the first light sensing transistor, the second light sensing transistor, and the third light sensing transistor are capable of being respectively used to sense red, green, and blue colors, the first light sensing transistor, the second light sensing transistor, and the third light sensing transistor are capable of being respectively used to sense green, red, and blue colors, or the first light sensing transistor, the second light sensing transistor, and the third light sensing transistor are capable of being respectively used to sense blue, red, and green colors.
5. The optical sensing circuit according to claim 3, wherein the capacitor has a first end and a second end, the gate of the first light sensing transistor is controlled by a first control signal, the second light sensing transistor and the third light sensing transistor are diode-connected thin film transistors, one end of the first light sensing transistor, one end of the second light sensing transistor, and one end of the third light sensing transistor are electrically connected to the first end of the capacitor, the other end and the gate of the second light sensing transistor and the other end and the gate of the third light sensing transistor are electrically connected to the second end of the capacitor, the switching element is electrically connected to the first end of the capacitor.
6. The optical sensing circuit according to claim 3, wherein the capacitor has a first end and a second end, the gate of the first light sensing transistor, the gate of the second light sensing transistor, and the gate of the third light sensing transistor are controlled by a first control signal, one end of the first light sensing transistor, one end of the second light sensing transistor, and one end of the third light sensing transistor are electrically connected to the first end of the capacitor, the other end of the second light sensing transistor and the other end of the third light sensing transistor are electrically connected to the second end of the capacitor, the switching element is electrically connected to the first end of the capacitor.
7. The optical sensing circuit according to claim 3, wherein the capacitor has a first end and a second end, the gate of the second light sensing transistor and the gate of the third light sensing transistor are controlled by a second control signal, the first light sensing transistor is a diode-connected thin film transistor, one end and the gate of the first light sensing transistor, one end of the second light sensing transistor, and one end of the third light sensing transistor are electrically connected to the first end of the capacitor, the other end of the second light sensing transistor and the other end of the third light sensing transistor are electrically connected to the second end of the capacitor, the switching element is electrically connected to the first end of the capacitor.
8. The optical sensing circuit according to claim 3, wherein the capacitor has a first end and a second end, the gate of the first light sensing transistor is controlled by a first control signal, the gate of the second light sensing transistor and the gate of the third light sensing transistor are controlled by a second control signal, one end of the first light sensing transistor, one end of the second light sensing transistor, and one end of the third light sensing transistor are electrically connected to the first end of the capacitor, the other end of the second light sensing transistor and the other end of the third light sensing transistor are electrically connected to the second end of the capacitor, the switching element is electrically connected to the first end of the capacitor.
9. The optical sensing circuit according to claim 3, wherein the capacitor has a first end and a second end, the gate of the second light sensing transistor and the gate of the third light sensing transistor are controlled by a first control signal, the gate of the first light sensing transistor receives the first control signal through a bias resistor, one end of the first light sensing transistor, one end of the second light sensing transistor, and one end of the third light sensing transistor are electrically connected to the first end of the capacitor, the other end of the second light sensing transistor and the other end of the third light sensing transistor are electrically connected to the second end of the capacitor, the switching element is electrically connected to the first end of the capacitor.
10. The optical sensing circuit according to claim 1, wherein one end of the first light sensing transistor of the light sensing unit is electrically connected to the capacitor, the other end of the first light sensing transistor is configured to receive an operating signal, and the switching element is controlled by a scan signal, during an initial period, the operating signal has a first voltage for initializing the voltage value of the capacitor, during a sensing period, the operating signal has a second voltage, when the light illuminates the light sensing unit and the compensation unit, the first light component of the light corresponding to the first color causes the light sensing unit to generate a first current, and the second light component of the light corresponding to the second color causes the compensation unit to generate a second current, during a sampling period, the scan signal is enabled, such that the switching element is turned on and the voltage of the capacitor is read.
11. An optical sensing circuit, comprising:
- a capacitor;
- a light sensing unit, electrically connected to the capacitor, wherein the light sensing unit comprises a first light sensing transistor and is configured to sense a first color;
- a compensation unit, electrically connected to the capacitor, wherein the compensation unit comprises a second light sensing transistor and is configured to sense a second color, the spectrum of the second color and the spectrum of the first color do not overlap with each other;
- a switching element, electrically connected to the capacitor;
- wherein when a light illuminates the light sensing unit and the compensation unit, a first light component of the light corresponding to the first color causes the light sensing unit to generate a first current, and a second light component of the light corresponding to the second color causes the compensation unit to generate a second current, the second current reduces the magnitude of the charging current or the discharging current when the capacitor is charged or discharged by the first current;
- wherein when the switching element is turned on, the voltage of the capacitor is read and used as information for determining the color of the light;
- wherein the first light sensing transistor and the second light sensing transistor are diode-connected thin film transistors.
12. The optical sensing circuit according to claim 11, wherein the compensation unit further comprises a third light sensing transistor, the first light sensing transistor, the second light sensing transistor, and the third light sensing transistor are respectively used to sense different colors.
13. The optical sensing circuit according to claim 12, wherein the first light sensing transistor, the second light sensing transistor, and the third light sensing transistor are respectively used to sense red, green, and blue colors, the first light sensing transistor, the second light sensing transistor, and the third light sensing transistor respectively are used to sense green, red, and blue colors, or the first light sensing transistor, the second light sensing transistor, and the third light sensing transistor respectively are used to sense blue, red, and green colors.
14. The optical sensing circuit according to claim 12, wherein the capacitor has a first end and a second end, the third light sensing transistor is a diode-connected thin film transistor, one end and the gate of the first light sensing transistor, one end of the second light sensing transistor, and one end of the third light sensing transistor are electrically connected to the first end of the capacitor, the other end and the gate of the second light sensing transistor and the other end and the gate of the third light sensing transistor are electrically connected to the second end of the capacitor, the switching element is electrically connected to the first end of the capacitor.
15. The optical sensing circuit according to claim 14, wherein the other end of the first light sensing transistor is configured to receive an operating signal, and the switching element is controlled by a scan signal, during an initial period, the operating signal has a first voltage for initializing the voltage value of the capacitor, during a sensing period, the operating signal has a second voltage, when the light illuminates the light sensing unit and the compensation unit, the first light component of the light corresponding to the first color causes the light sensing unit to generate a first current, and the second light component of the light corresponding to the second color causes the compensation unit to generate a second current, during a sampling period, the scan signal is enabled, such that the switching element is turned on and the voltage of the capacitor is read.
16. The optical sensing circuit according to claim 12, wherein the capacitor has a first end and a second end, the third light sensing transistor is a diode-connected thin film transistor, one end of the first light sensing transistor, one end and the gate of the second light sensing transistor, and one end and the gate of the third light sensing transistor are electrically connected to the first end of the capacitor, the other end and the gate of the first light sensing transistor are coupled to each other, the other end of the second light sensing transistor and the other end of the third light sensing transistor are electrically connected to the second end of the capacitor, the switching element is electrically connected to the first end of the capacitor.
17. The optical sensing circuit according to claim 16, wherein the other end and the gate of the first light sensing transistor is configured to receive an operating signal, and the switching element is controlled by a scan signal, during an initial period, the operating signal has a first voltage for initializing the voltage value of the capacitor, during a sensing period, the operating signal has a second voltage, when the light illuminates the light sensing unit and the compensation unit, the first light component of the light corresponding to the first color causes the light sensing unit to generate a first current, and the second light component of the light corresponding to the second color causes the compensation unit to generate a second current, during a sampling period, the scan signal is enabled, such that the switching element is turned on and the voltage of the capacitor is read.
18. A method for determining light color using an optical sensing circuit, comprising:
- providing an optical sensing circuit, the optical sensing circuit comprising a capacitor, a light sensing unit, a compensation unit, and a switching element, wherein the light sensing unit, electrically connected to the capacitor, comprises a first light sensing transistor and is configured to sense a first color, the compensation unit, electrically connected to the capacitor, comprises a second light sensing transistor and is configured to sense a second color, the spectrum of the second color and the spectrum of the first color do not overlap with each other, the switching element is electrically connected to the capacitor, one end of the first light sensing transistor receives an operating signal, and the switching element is controlled by a control signal;
- making the operating signal having a first voltage for initializing the voltage value of the capacitor during an initial period;
- making the operating signal having a second voltage during a sensing period, when the light illuminates the light sensing unit and the compensation unit, the first light component of the light corresponding to the first color causes the light sensing unit to generate a first current, and the second light component of the light corresponding to the second color causes the compensation unit to generate a second current, the second current reduces the magnitude of the charging current or the discharging current when the capacitor is charged or discharged by the first current;
- enabling the scan signal during a sampling period, such that the switching element is turned on and the voltage of the capacitor is read and used as an information for determining the color of the light;
- wherein the voltage level of at least one of the gate of the first light sensing transistor and the gate of the second light sensing transistor is adjustable.
19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the voltage level of at least one of the gate of the first light sensing transistor and the gate of the second light sensing transistor is adjustable according to the intensity of an ambient light or the intensity of the light.
20. A method for determining light color using an optical sensing circuit, comprising:
- providing an optical sensing circuit, the optical sensing circuit comprising a capacitor, a light sensing unit, a compensation unit, and a switching element, wherein the light sensing unit, electrically connected to the capacitor, comprises a first light sensing transistor and is configured to sense a first color, the compensation unit, electrically connected to the capacitor, comprises a second light sensing transistor and is configured to sense a second color, the spectrum of the second color and the spectrum of the first color do not overlap with each other, the switching element is electrically connected to the capacitor, one end of the first light sensing transistor receives an operating signal, and the switching element is controlled by a control signal;
- making the operating signal having a first voltage for initializing the voltage value of the capacitor during an initial period;
- making the operating signal having a second voltage during a sensing period, when the light illuminates the light sensing unit and the compensation unit, the first light component of the light corresponding to the first color causes the light sensing unit to generate a first current, and the second light component of the light corresponding to the second color causes the compensation unit to generate a second current, the second current reduces the magnitude of the charging current or the discharging current when the capacitor is charged or discharged by the first current;
- during a sampling period, enabling the scan signal, such that the switching element is turned on and the voltage of the capacitor is read and used as an information for determining the color of the light;
- wherein the first light sensing transistor and the second light sensing transistor are diode-connected thin film transistors.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 29, 2020
Publication Date: Feb 4, 2021
Patent Grant number: 11041761
Inventor: Yi-Yang LIAO (Hsinchu)
Application Number: 16/914,516